JFK at AU: The Strength of Dialogue: In Honor of JFK's Commencement Address (Updated 2/18/14)

On June 10, 1963, President John F. Kennedy addressed AU's graduating class with a speech that has been called "one of the great state papers of American History." Entitled "A Strategy of Peace," it acknowledged the role that stereotypes and misrepresentation played in the Cold War (see also: JFK's AU Speech: 50 Years Forward on Peace).

Taking its cue from JFK's insights, the symposium will explore the advantages and shortfalls of the superpower mentality, the heightened expectations and disappointments of the post-Cold War era, and how to move beyond mutual stereotyping through cultural dialogue and personal contact.

RSVPThis event is open to the public, but individual RSVP is required via IRC@american.edu by noon on Friday, April 12. Please include any professional or university affiliation and graduate or undergraduate status, if a student. Please bring government-issued ID's. Business attire is required.

Second Panel 4:00-6:00 p.m.John Beyrle, U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation, 2008-2012Vladimir O. Pechatnov, Chair, Department of European and American Studies, MGIMO University, MoscowAllen Pietrobon, Graduate Student, American University

CONSORTIUM TRANSPORTATION DETAILSTransportation from Georgetown, GW, GMU, and UMD (College Park) will be arranged. Please see below for pick-up times and locations.

Student Shuttle Times and LocationsTimes listed below are departure times. Please be at the pick-up location before the departure time.

Return Shuttles: Return shuttles will be available at 8 p.m. for all universities near the AU University shuttle stop by the Kogod School of Business.

DRIVING AND PARKING DIRECTIONSOnce you arrive at AU:There is free parking in the Nebraska Ave Parking Lot or the Katzen Arts Center garage. Valet parking will be available in the Katzen Arts Center garage from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. for the reception in the Katzen Arts Center Rotunda. Directions to the AU campus and a campus map can be found here. AU operates a free shuttle bus from the Tenleytown Metrorail Station. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes from 8 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. on Saturdays. The symposium is 100% wheelchair accessible.